Faugheen, the odds-on favourite to win back-to-back Champion Hurdles at next month's Cheltenham Festival, has been ruled out of the rest of the campaign due to injury and BetVictor have refunded all bets placed on the horse affectionately known as the ‘The Machine' on all bets placed after 3pm on the January 27th 2016. Fortunately for connections, there are more than a few inmates in the Mullins yard that could claim Mullins yet another Champion Hurdle crown and after making a winning reappearance yesterday at Punchestown BetVictor make Annie Power the new 7/4 favourite (Non Runner Money Back) for this year's renewal
Champion Hurdle Non Runner Money Back
Annie Power 7/4 (First show)
Arctic Fire 7/2
Nichols Canyon 7/2
Identity Thief 4/1
The New One 8/1
My Tent or Yours 8/1
14/1 Bar
The apple of owner Rich Ricci's eye is unbeaten in all bar two starts, with both defeats coming at the Cheltenham festival when chasing home More of That in the 2014 World Hurdle and t hen falling when clear in the Mares' Hurdle on the first day of last year's festival. BetVictor have eased her to 6/4 for that race this year with the ‘wonder-mare' surely having bigger fish to fry and now 11/4 to go one better in the World Hurdle but surely now re-routed for the Champion Hurdle where she is the new 7/4 favourite.
Cheltenham clues are on offer at Kelso with the Morebattle Hurdle used as a stepping stone for Simonsig prior to his success in the Neptune Novices' Hurdle at the Festival in 2012 and Top Notch (2.30) given the nod for the Seven Barrows yard up at Kelso under Daryl Jacob. The selection was second to stablemate Peace and CO in the Triumph Hurdle at last year's festival but has been progressive thereafter against his elders.
Nicky Henderson's French import disappointed last time out when failing to stay two and a half miles at Cheltenham but had previously chased home the pair of Irving and Identity Thief in higher grade and should appreciate the drop back in trip. He could potentially be one of four runners for the yard at next month's festival and looks over-priced at 25/1 with BetVictor for Champion Hurdle success; with stablemates My Tent or Yours, Peace and Co and Hargam all 8/1, 14/1 and 25s respectively.
Gordon Elliot has a good strike-rate at the track and saddles recent Clonmel scorer Walter Sprite in the opening Novices' Hurdle over the minimum trip. She is respected but preference on this occasion lies instead with Western Rules (1.20) under Brian Harding. Nicky Richards' well-bred gelding disappointed on tacky ground last time out at Sedgefield but looks a smart prospect for connections and should appreciate the drop back to the minimum trip.
The pair can double-up with Takingrisks (3.40) in the handicap hurdle over two and three quarter miles. The selection score impressively over course and distance in similarly conditions in a Maiden Hurdle at the track last month and could be potentially chucked-in from an opening mark of 122.
Randy Pike (4.40) can complete a treble for the combination in the closing bumper, making his debut under rules after changing hands for 30,000 Euros at the Tatts Sales last April. The selection is a half-brother to a couple of useful types and looks to have been well-placed to make a winning debut under rules.
James Reveley is back in the plate aboard Redkalani (1.55) for dad Keith in the 3m Handicap Hurdle. The selection made all to score at Doncaster two starts back, before failing to land a blow under 3lb conditional Harry Challoner last time out. He should prove much better than that however, and can return back to winning ways with the added aid of first-time head-gear.
There's a terrific card at Fontwell where Neil Mulholland's Matrows Lady (2.55) must go close from the foot of the weights in the handicap chase over an extended two miles. The selection relished the testing conditions earlier in the campaign when scoring at the track over a longer trip and should remain competitive from a 3lb higher mark under Noel Fehily.
Ben Pauling's Showboater (4.05) has been raised a stone for two impressive victories in testing ground over course and distance and, despite being raised a stone for those wins, remains well-treated and should complete the hat-trick under Nico De Boinville.
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